New Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy Fellowship Launched Between New York and Puerto Rico
A one‑year Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Fellowship has been launched, linking Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo with San Juan City Hospital. Announced at the SOMOS Conference 2026, the programme targets physicians from Puerto Rico seeking specialist training in cellular and gene‑based cancer therapies.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- A new one‑year fellowship for cancer specialists is created
- Timing
- Announced at SOMOS Conference 2026 with training to begin soon
- Who is affected
- Physicians from Puerto Rico and New York cancer centres
The details
- Announced by
- Governor Kathy Hochul
Announcement and Objectives
Governor Kathy Hochul revealed the partnership during her reception at the SOMOS Conference 2026 in Puerto Rico. The initiative joins Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and San Juan City Hospital to create a specialist training pathway focused on advanced cell and gene therapies.
- Strengthen specialist medical education across both regions
- Expand patient access to cutting‑edge cancer treatments
- Support long‑term healthcare innovation in Puerto Rico and New York
Fellowship Structure
The Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Fellowship offers a one‑year intensive clinical placement at Roswell Park in Buffalo. The inaugural fellow will receive hands‑on instruction in cellular therapy, exposure to the centre’s research and manufacturing facilities, and training aligned with American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy guidelines.
- Led by Dr Brian Betts, leukemia specialist at Roswell Park
- Includes access to the Good Manufacturing Practice Engineering and Cell Manufacturing Facility
- Designed to equip physicians with skills needed for CAR T‑cell and other cellular therapies
Implications for Healthcare Delivery
By training physicians within an established specialist environment, the programme aims to transfer expertise back to Puerto Rico, enhancing local capacity for advanced therapies. Successful implementation will require complementary infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and continued workforce development.
The partnership also highlights potential benefits for medical tourism, as improved local capabilities could reduce the need for patients to travel to mainland United States for complex treatments.
- Potential reduction in outbound patient travel for specialized care
- Opportunity for future institutional collaborations and research projects
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers planning cancer treatment in Puerto Rico should monitor the rollout of local advanced therapy services.
- Patients currently scheduled for treatment in New York may benefit from future local options once trained physicians return.
Cost and documents
- No new fees for the fellowship were announced; participants will follow existing Roswell Park enrollment procedures.
- Applicants must provide standard medical credentials and proof of eligibility for specialist training.
What you need to do
- Physicians from Puerto Rico interested in the fellowship should contact San Juan City Hospital for application details.
- Healthcare institutions should track the programme’s progress for potential partnership opportunities.
Who this affects
-
Puerto Rican physicians
The fellowship is designed to train them in advanced cell and gene therapies.
What to do Apply to the programme through San Juan City Hospital.
-
Roswell Park clinical staff
They will host and mentor the fellowship participants.
What to do Prepare training resources and facility access for incoming fellows.
-
Cancer patients in Puerto Rico
Future availability of locally delivered advanced therapies depends on the trained specialists.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Fellowship?
It is a one‑year intensive training program for cancer specialists, hosted by Roswell Park in Buffalo, created to build expertise in cellular and gene‑based cancer treatments for physicians from Puerto Rico.
Who announced the new fellowship partnership?
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the partnership during the SOMOS Conference 2026, linking Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and San Juan City Hospital.
When does the fellowship start?
The announcement was made at SOMOS Conference 2026 and the programme is set to begin shortly thereafter, though a specific start date was not provided.
What training facilities will fellows use?
Fellows will train at Roswell Park’s Good Manufacturing Practice Engineering and Cell Manufacturing Facility, the world’s largest academic clean‑room of its kind, and will follow guidelines from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.
How might this affect medical tourism to Puerto Rico?
If the fellowship successfully builds local expertise, Puerto Rico could offer more advanced cancer treatments, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for such care.
